Julie Souza Bradley Lilly blogs at Prayers of a Ragamuffin Warrior and directs Gift of Thorns Facebook ministry. She is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, and a contributing author to Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships, Volumes One and Two (VineWords Publishing). With thirty-plus years in healthcare, and through her own multiple injuries, PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, and other health concerns, she has found God to be true to His Word, in turning all things together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Taking hold of the secret makes life easier. How far would five small barley loaves and two small fish go among so many people?” Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. – John 6:9,11 NIV This testimony of God’s miraculous power is told in every Sunday School class. I love the disparity between the needs–a hungry crowd of 5,000–and what little … Continue reading →
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 HCSB Seeing that tiny tail at the end of the roll of toilet paper hanging there was like hearing nails on a chalkboard. At least a half dozen rolls sat a mere inches away under the sink, but the people living in my house were preoccupied with other things. We had had polite chats about being thoughtful of others by replacing the roll, … Continue reading →
Whether in line at the grocery store, waiting for our a meal in a restaurant or waiting for God to answer our prayer, patience is not a strong trait for most of us. …
Continue reading →There, in the dark of night, the birth of the prophesied Messiah, the Savior of the world, was announced to lowly shepherds. They found the Christ child in humble surroundings, far from the pomp and ceremony befitting a king. …
Continue reading →We may wonder where God is in all of this, but He has not abandoned us, Beloved. He is still here. His hand of mercy limits the shaking. The enemy is not allowed to touch even one hair on our heads without God’s permission (see Luke 21:18). So, if God is allowing us to be sifted, while it is unpleasant and often painful, we can rest assured that the shaking will be for our ultimate good. We need to cling to Him and trust Him through it (see Genesis 50:20). …
Continue reading →Psalm 23 reminds us that when we walk with God, we can have peace in turmoil, uncertainty and even when surrounded by darkness. Let’s pray and bring it all to the Lord: …
Continue reading →Big or small, chances are, in this year, we will add a scar or two to our life story. They will give testimony about what will have transpired in the weeks and months ahead. What story will this year’s scars tell about our maturity, our character and our choices? …
Continue reading →As the Bride of Christ, Jesus, the Son of God, is our bridegroom. We look forward to the day we will become one with Him. But in the waiting, I can’t help but wonder if we have grown slack in our preparation. Has the intensity of our longing and fervor to see that day grown cold with the passage of time? …
Continue reading →Our prayers don’t need to be eloquent, or even coherent to be understood by Him. Our groans and our tears are laced with thousands of thoughts and feelings that lose their way on the way to our lips, but they are not lost to God. In His profound mercy, He interprets every sigh, and understands the hurt behind every groan and the reason and meaning of every tear. His heart overflows with compassion. …
Continue reading →Beloved, are you afraid? Let us not allow the wisdom of God to be silenced by the foolishness of men. The enemy is a formidable opponent, but he is no match for our God. The truth is …
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